Bishop Gracias told the nurses that the archdiocese applauds their stance that life is Godâ€™s gift and every human is â€śunique and precious in Godâ€™s eyes.â€ť

The prelate rejected growing demand for the right to die with dignity. â€śWe have no right to die â€“ neither with dignity nor indignity. After God has brought us to life, we have a right to live with dignity and we die with serenity, surrendering our life to God at the proper moment,â€ť he said.

The bishop went to Shanbaugâ€™s room with a group. Enid Miranda, a physician and member of the Archdiocesan Human Life Committee, said the group prayed silently as the bishop placed a rose by the patientâ€™s pillow.

Sequeira, 76,Â said his gesture was only a â€śa drop in the oceanâ€ť to thank the nurses and doctors for taking care of Shanbaug â€śin such exemplary way.â€ť

Nirmala Rajgopal, the matron, said her people are â€śdeeply touchedâ€ť by the award and donation. â€śAruna Shanbaug, our sister is a gift from God and we will love and take care of her till she breathes her last in the hospital,â€ť she added.

Rajgopal said they would use the interest money from the award as a scholarship to train a deserving nurse every year.

Aruna Shanbaug was a nurse at the hospital. She was sexually assaulted by a hospital ward boy in 1973. He tried to strangle her with a dog chain which cut the blood and oxygen supply to her brain.